Photoluminescent munitions and magazine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for luminescing munitions having a coating of or containing a photoluminescent material. The apparatus employs the use of a conventional firearm magazine as a housing for accommodating the ammunition. A light emitting means is incorporated in the magazine for illuminating the photoluminescent material by exciting the photoluminescent material. The light emitting means is based on an LED producing an ultraviolet light component and relatively low or non-existent red, orange and infrared components when electrically actuated. The light emitting means receives its energy source from batteries contained within the magazine. Alternatively, a chemiluminescent device capable of producing light may be employed in place of the batteries as the energy source.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/236,792, filed Sep. 24, 2008, which claims the priority date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/974,651, filed Sep. 24, 2007, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed toward the field of small caliber munitions and more particularly, to a means for luminescing munitions for tracing and marking when used in training.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the training of military and law enforcement personnel, a need exists for force-on-force training with service weapons. In addition, in the training of military and law enforcement personnel, a need exists for detecting the accuracy and effectiveness of the trainee's ability to strike an intended target in daylight or darkness. This is important not only for personnel training, but also to determine the effectiveness of various equipment systems, and as a means of calibrating such systems. Force-on-force training with service weapons and live ammunition presents health and safety hazards to the training personnel that are unacceptable. The use of reduced energy projectiles such as the Simmunitions™ line produced by General Dynamics or the Man Marker™ line produced by Ultimate Training Munitions reduces these health and safety hazards to acceptable levels. However, these products provide daytime training capability, only, in that the rounds do not trace and the resulting marks cannot be readily seen in the dark. Numerous types of devices have been employed in an effort to provide munitions tracing, most uses are for use in game playing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,151 discloses a toy launcher for launching phosphor-containing projectiles outwardly and a radiation-emitter for exposing the projectile within the launcher to phosphorescence-activating radiation prior to the projectile leaving the launcher, whereby the projectile will phosphoresce as it leaves the launcher. An incandescent lamp is used to light a photoluminescent projectile at launch. Such an approach does not result in effective illumination of the projectile and considerable time is involved “charging” the photoluminescent projectile. The illuminated and propelled projectile has relatively low level phosphorescence.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,280 discloses a phosphorescent and fluorescent marking composition comprising polyethylene glycols in combination with phosphorescent and fluorescent pigments.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,058 discloses a light emitting rigid, fracturable projectile in the form of a phosphorescent paintball. An exciter which couples to the muzzle of a paintball gun is adaptable for use with paintball guns to excite the phosphorescent paintball to emit light. The light emitting paintball provides a luminous trail when discharged from the paintball gun. The capsule is either impregnated with a phosphorescent material or a phosphorescent material is mixed with a filler. The phosphorescent material absorbs light when exposed to a light source and, after the light source is removed, emits light.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,280 discloses a toy gun projectile having photoluminescent properties when exposed to light within the gun and propelled from the gun having an excited photoluminescent surface to provide a visual display by the propelled projectile. The projectile is illuminated by a flash lamp having a high level ultraviolet light component and relatively low or non-existent red, orange and infrared components. The photoluminescent projectiles which are charged by superlumination provide a toy that is not only inherently safe but highly interesting.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,841 discloses light emitting rigid fracturable projectile-type marking ammunition which is a phosphorescent ball in the form of a spherical pellet or capsule that includes non-phosphorescent impact diffusing materials intimately admixed with phosphorescent materials. The light emitting phosphorescent ball provides a luminous trail when discharged from the paintball gun.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,726 discloses a system and a method for launching glow-in-the-dark projectiles from a projectile launcher wherein the toy comprises projectiles exposed to light prior to being launched and a firing mechanism wherein a portion of the firing mechanism is positioned with the projectile prior to being fired from the launcher. The firing mechanism comprises a light for exposing the projectile to radiation prior to being fired from the gun.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,308 discloses a hopper device for illuminating luminescent paintballs before they are projected down the barrel of a paintball gun. The hopper shell has top and bottom rows of ultraviolet lights placed at preselected portions of the shell to maximize the exposure of the paintballs to ultraviolet light emitted from the lights. A pair of low voltage D.C. batteries supplies power via a switch to an inverter which increases the voltage to a magnitude used by the lights.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,183 discloses a two-piece polymer projectile consisting of an aero dynamically shaped, thin-shelled, frangible cap, adapted to be filled with a flowable substance for marking upon impact, the fluid sealed within the projectile by a rear plug. The rear plug is relatively rigid in order to contain the expansive effect of propellant gases; a recessed compartment in the rear plug contributes to creating a forward centre of gravity for the projectile; the barrel rifling is engaged by the projectile in the region of the rear plug only, whereby positive engagement with the barrel rifling imparts spin without bursting the cap portion of the projectile; an indentation region on the nose of the cap facilitates flexing of the score lines for rapid and efficient bursting of the cap on impact.

These work well in all situations except force-on-force training with service weapons. The illuminated paintball devices do not provide the necessary training effect similar to service weapons and the inherent dangers of service weapons with conventional tracers prevent their use in force-on-force training.

What is lacking in the art is means for night time training of police and military personnel with firearms that eliminates the inherent dangers of the use of actual service weapons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a means for tracing and marking with munitions by use of a photoluminescent material that is excited within the magazine of a firearm. The apparatus is based upon a conventional firearm magazine that stores special bullets either coated with or containing a photoluminescent material and excited by a light emitting means of a specified character. The bullets are special in that they are reduced energy projectiles such as those produced by General Dynamics or Ultimate Training Munitions or like reduced energy projectiles. The light emitting means is based on an LED producing light, either visible or an ultraviolet light component. The light emitting means receives its energy source from batteries contained within the magazine for powering of the LED's.

Alternatively, the light may be produced from a self contained chemiluminescent light source.

An objective of this invention is to disclose the use of photoluminescent ammunition placed in a conventional firearm magazine and illuminated by a light source.

Another objective of this invention is to disclose the use of photoluminescent ammunition that is illuminated by an LED visible light source powered by batteries placed within the magazine.

Another objective of this invention is to disclose the use of photoluminescent ammunition that is illuminated by a chemiluminescent light source; the chemiluminescent light source may be a light stick that is placed within the magazine.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objectives and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D depicts a magazine assembly for a firearm; FIG. 1A is a side view of the photoluminescent bullet and magazine follower, FIG. 1B is a side view of a LED light with circuit board, FIG. 1C is a side view of a battery base; and FIG. 1D is side view of a magazine housing;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D depicts a perspective view of the assembly shown in FIGS. 2A-2D; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the magazine follower FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the LED circuit board, FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the battery holder; and FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the magazine housing; and

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C depicts an assembly for the device using a chemiluminescent light energy source, FIG. 3A is a side view of a bullet and magazine follower, FIG. 3B is a side view of a chemiluminescent light source; and FIG. 3C is a side view of a magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings set forth is an apparatus and method for illuminating munitions stored in a magazine for purposes of tracing/marking. The apparatus is based upon the use of firearms employing a munitions magazine (10) for holding a plurality of cartridges. In a first embodiment, by way of illustration, set forth is a photoluminescent bullet (12) that can be excited to produce light so as to allow the bullet to glow in the dark. The cartridge (14) is supported by an magazine follower (16) having downwardly depending engagement tabs (20 and 22). The magazine follower (16) includes an aperture (24) for positioning of an LED emitter (26) mounted upon circuit board (28).

Unique to this invention is placement of the illumination device within a magazine (10) wherein the light source, i.e. LED, chemiluminescent light, is used to flood the magazine chamber with light for purposes of exciting the photoluminescent bullets.

A problem with the prior art devices is in the placement of an exciter and need for a triggering mechanism, both of which subject the light to early failure due to the adverse conditions found in a firing chamber. Further, a quick flash may not provide sufficient excitement to a coating resulting in a diminished illumination. Further, it is preferable that the munitions used in training practice by police and military personnel approximate the actual bullets so as to provide realistic recoil.

The instant invention allows the illumination to take place within the magazine so that no modification of the firing chamber is necessary; elimination of damage to the energy source is removed by the remote placement of the exciter source. By removing the light source from the firing chamber, no gunpowder residue or explosion can disrupt the lighting element. Further, the instant invention allows for the use of a low powered LED. As the energy source has sufficient time to flood the chamber of the magazine, conventional batteries (30) shown on the battery base (32) may be used. The magazine may be used as a holding chamber with the light (26) providing a timed illumination of the chamber over a period of time allowing the ability to excite the luminescent material so that the discharge of the munitions includes luminescent material having as large of charge as possible, eliminating the need for an energy consuming flash exciter. The chamber (34) of the magazine (10) is receptive to the assembly formed by the battery base (32), circuit board (28) and bullet holder (16).

The magazine chamber (34) may be coated with a reflective material, such as a chrome paint or a reflective plastic, to reflect and maintain the light within the chamber to better activate the luminescent material further enhancing the lumination of the munitions upon discharge. The LED is preferably controlled by a conventional toggle switch, not shown, for providing power from the battery to the circuit board allowing the individual to cause operation of the LED before the start of the training mission. The exposure time to the LED results in not only a luminescent trail, but also a luminescent paint pattern upon impact of the target allowing the instructor to inspect the hits during target practice. The use of an ultraviolet LED of about 365 nanometer wave length is deemed beneficial, although shorter or longer wave lengths can be used depending on the intensity desired.

The luminescent material can be made out of most current photoluminescent materials such as zinc sulfide or strontium aluminate with trace dopants. The luminescent material may be formed into the projectile or contained within the projectile. Once the material is excited by exposure to light, the material will emit light even after the excitation light source is removed.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C set forth is a second embodiment having a magazine (50) with a chemiluminescent light stick (52) placed within the holder (54). As with the previous embodiment the ammunition is shown with a photluminescent bullet (56) placed upon the magazine follower (58) In operation, the chemiluminescent light stick is activated and placed in combination with the magazine follower(58) into the magazine (50) for illumination of all munitions placed within the magazine. As with the previous embodiment, the magazine may be coated with a reflective material, such a chrome or a reflective plastic, notably as the magazine is not subjected to firing chamber forces.

Chemiluminescent light production can be made from a modified light stick, such as that manufactured by Cyalume Technologies, Inc., capable of fitting within the magazine. Chemiluminescent light is produced by a two component system referred to as an oxalate component and an activator component. The two components are kept physically sealed, a frangible glass vial containing one component housed within an outer flexible container containing the other component. Forces created by intimate contact with the internal vial, such as by flexing, causes the vial to rupture thereby releasing the first component into the second component where they mix and produce light. As the magazine is not subjected to forces from the munitions, the outer vessel may be made of a clear or translucent material such as polyethylene or polypropylene which permits the light produced by the chemiluminescent system to be transmitted through the vessel walls.

Examples of chemiluminescent light systems include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,043,851; 4,626,383; 3,539,794; 3,576,987; 4,508,642; 4,193,109 and 4,814,949; the subject matter of which patents are incorporated herein by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings/figures.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A method of tracing and marking munitions comprising: munitions filled with, made from, and/or coated with a photoluminescent material; storing said munitions in the magazine of a firearm; and exciting said photoluminescent material with a light source positioned within the magazine; wherein said munitions produce light upon leaving the firearm allowing for the tracing of the munitions and provides an impact mark allowing for the marking of the munitions impact.
 2. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1 wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a visible light visible to human vision.
 3. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1 wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a light not visible to unaided human vision.
 4. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1 wherein said light source is an LED producing visible light.
 5. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1 wherein said light source is an LED producing ultraviolet light.
 6. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1 wherein said light source is electrically coupled to a self contained power source.
 7. The method of tracing and marking munitions according to claim 1 wherein said light source is a chemiluminescent light source placed within the magazine.
 8. A firearm having a magazine comprising; photoluminescent munitions stored with said magazine; and a self contained light source positioned with said magazine; wherein said light source illuminates said photoluminescent munitions allowing for the tracing and/or impact marking of said illuminated munitions upon discharge from the firemarm.
 9. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a light visible to human vision.
 10. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein exciting said photoluminescent material produces a light not visible to unaided human vision.
 11. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source is an LED producing visible light.
 12. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source is an LED producing ultraviolet light.
 13. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said ultraviolet light is wavelength of about 365 nanometers.
 14. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source is electrically coupled to a self contained power source.
 15. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source is a chemiluminescent light source placed within the magazine.
 16. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein an interior surface of said magazine is coated with a reflective material allowing immersion of said coated munitions with said light source.
 17. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said light source provides a continuous light within said magazine to optimize luminescence with low powered light.
 18. The firearm according to claim 14 wherein said power source is conventional batteries.
 19. The firearm according to claim 8 including an electrical circuit for activation of said light upon coupling said power source to said light.
 20. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said photoluminescent material is zinc sulfide.
 21. The firearm according to claim 8 wherein said photoluminescent material is strontium aluminate with trace dopants. 